Department of Biology

David Bourgaize, The Fletcher Jones Professor of Molecular Genetics
Erica Fradinger
Stephen R. Goldberg, The Roy E. and Marie G. Campbell Professor of Biology
David Mbora
Cheryl Swift, The James Irvine Foundation Professor of Biology
Hector Valenzuela, Chair
Sylvia Vetrone

The Biology major at Whittier College is designed to produce graduates with a strong background in the organization and complexity of living systems, hypothesis testing and experimental design, and oral and written presentation of data. These skills prepare our graduating majors for careers in teaching, research and health related fields. We emphasize “doing science” in addition to learning to use instrumentation to make measurements, to analyze and present data, and to place findings in the larger context of published science. Faculty work closely with students to help them develop research skills within coursework through inquiry based learning, and outside coursework through undergraduate research. Our courses regularly take advantage of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave and Sonoran deserts as well as the Pacific Coast. An extensive wildlife preserve adjacent to the college in the Puente Hills also provides an outdoor laboratory. Other courses take advantage of equipment in a laboratory setting.

Catalog

Department of Biology

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Courses